Vodka Pasta with with Chicken Italian Sausage

vodka pasta with chicken Italian sausage

What you'll need:

• 1lb of Chicken italian sausage

• 1 shallot (finely chopped)

• 4 garlic cloves (minced)

• 8 basil leaves + more for topping (chopped)

• 4.6 oz tube of double concentrated tomato paste

• 1.5 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 cup vodka

• a large handful of spinach ( chopped)

• 1 tbsp or more of calabrian chilies (depends on how spicy you want it)

• 16 oz pipe rigate noodles

• 1/2 cup of julienne cut sundried tomatoes in italian herbs oil (drained)

• 3 tbsp cold cubed butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter

• 1/4- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for topping

Seasonings i used:

• trader joes italian style soffrito seasoning, salt and pepper (i don't do measurements so just measure with your heart)

Directions:

1. Add oil to a skillet on medium high heat. Add sausage and brown and set aside.

2. To the same skillet or a separate skillet add 2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp of butter on medium heat. Once heated add shallots, soffritto seasoning, salt & pepper and sauté until shallots have softened. (about 3 mins)

3. Add garlic and calabrian chillies and saute until the garlic is fragrant ( about 30-60 secs)

4. Add tomato paste and cook for about 5 minutes, until paste is brick red and starts to caramelize.

5. Add vodka and stir constantly until liquid has evaporated ( about 2 mins)

6. Add heavy cream , sundried tomatoes and mix until well combined. Season with salt & pepper & remove from heat.

7. Meanwhile cook pasta in a large pot of heavily salted water and cook until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup or more of pasta water.

8. Add noodles , parmesan cheese, sausage, basil, spinach, cold butter and reserved pasta water ( make sure to add water a little at a time, you may not need it all)

9. Cook over medium high heat , and continue to mix until pasta is well coated in sauce about 3 mins. Adjust seasonings if necessary.

10. Top the pasta with more parmesan cheese, fresh basil and enjoy!